NO MONEY was allocated to the dredging of the Myall River's blocked eastern channel in this year's state budget despite a push from Paterson MP Craig Baumann to secure the funds
The Myall River Action Group has been campaigning for the river to be dredged since september 2008.
"We as the Myall River Action Group and community as a whole are disappointed that no provision was made in this budget," Myall River Action Group spokesman Gordon Grainger said.
"And we are disappointed that we have only learned it from the newspapers."
He said the discolouration of the river and shallow entrance meant the potential for boating accidents was getting higher. Mr Baumann said just because the dredging was not listed as a line item in the budget did not mean the money was not there.
"For example 22 per cent of the state budget is education but they don't list every school receiving funds," he said.
He said it was possible money allocated to the Department of Primary Industries may be used at some point for the dredging.
"We're still in the process of fighting for funds though," he said.
"I can't push the bureaucrats any harder because I'm an MP not a minister."
The only money in the budget specifically allocated to Tea Gardens was $428,000 allocation for a major renovation of Tea Gardens Fire station. A further $59 million was allocated to complete the Bulahdelah bypass project.